Nigeria’s Falconets have qualified for the round of 16 at the 2024 FIFA U-20 women’s World Cup after a comfortable 4-0 win against Venezuela in their final Group D game on Saturday.
Goals from Amina Bello, Chiamaka Ukwuchukwu, Flourish Sebastine and Joy Igbokwe, sealed the team’s passage into the next round.
The Falconets went into the game knowing an outright win will guarantee their passage into the first knockout round.
After opening their campaign with a 1-0 win against South Korea, the Falconets lost 3-1 to Germany.
In the group’s other game, South Korea pipped Germany 1-0 to record their first win of the tournament.
Germany ended as group winners after amassing six points from three points, while the Falconets finished second also on six points.
South Korea placed third with four points and Venezuela placed bottom with just one point.
Other teams who have also progressed into the round of 16 are France, hosts Colombia, Brazil and Mexico.
Okwuchukwu had the first real chance of the game in the 12th minute but fired straight into the arms of the Venezuelan keeper from close range off a Flourish Sebastine pass.
The Falconets opened the scoring in the 16th minute thanks to Bello who was set up by Okwuchukwu.
In the 28th minute Okwuchukwu then made it 2-0 as she jumped highest to head home a cross.
Venezuela almost pulled a goal back in the 39th minute but Faith Omilana made a strong save to deny the South Americans.
Sebastine got her second goal of the tournament as she made it 3-0 in favour of the Falconets in the fifth minute of added time in the first half with an easy tap in.
Igbokwe completed the rout by adding the fourth goal in the 93rd minute.
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31 Comments
Thanks for replacing Shuku with Omilana and the No2 was also better replacement for No4. Goodluck @ KO!!!
The girls are good for tge finals, aswer
Great weekend for our soccer, ride on girls.
I am worried that we may be facing Japan who are highly tactical and technically sound. Will Danjuma’s practical, utilitarian, basic app hold up?
First and foremost, congratulations to the ladies for the emphatic win against Venezuela which helped seal and secure safe passage to the second round.
The game against Japan, if that is how it plays out, will be tricky and tough to navigate.
Good luck to the ladies
Answer to your first paragraph: NO. Venezuela carved us several times without any response. The good thing though is that the girls reached the second round. In all honesty, if it is Japan we are facing next, there will be no hiding for us. Midfield interplay was zero and defence as usual was suspect. The goals were world-class but they were all moments of sheer brilliance and not really well worked opportunities. Home truth: end of the road is near and that’s not being pessimistic
Some of you really need to take up comedy…LMAO!
Carve ko, cassava ni!!
You’re too pessimistic .Please allow them to enjoy their victory and prepare for their next game or you don’t want them to compete?@Sly
I want them to compete but the standard of the competition so far is too high that it scares me for the ladies. Teams dey oh and they don’t pity when they have scoring chances. Granted, 24 teams tournament will definitely throw up some rookies but at this age, who still wins a game 11-0, 9-0, 7-0? It’s happening all over the group stage and what confidence it will instill in such sides. Venezuela the whipping babes in our group really ran out centre zig zag, to be truthful and our defense is already a suspect in positioning. Knockout stage is lose and go home. I hope we don’t lose badly because…
@DEO, we’ll play whoever in put in FRONT of us…
Hopefully, the girls don’t have the sort of defeatist or inferiority attitude that some are propagating, and instead understand they got where they are on MERIT – just as anyone else. That’s how some people were minimizing our victory over South Korea until they went out and beat Germany. Anyway, I trust Danjuma to instill self-confidence in the team (in contrast to some of our recent Oyibo coaches, who will be half-conceding defeat even before kickoff or pack the bus and hope for a “narrow loss”!
Bro we can’t trust any coach again. Danjuma of before plays better football. I don’t know how consistent he is this time around. Like Deo said I’m not one of those inferior ambassadors but I can’t wish for North Korea ladies or Japan at this point. I rather hope the girls grow more into the groove before meeting this near perfect teams.
Inferiority complex@ Maazi Chima E Samuels
9jaRealist,
I wish the girls the best but I have my doubts – sorry.
Danjuma now has 2 games ahead to prove all doubters wrong.
His approach to the match against Venezuela seemed largely experimental to me.
Despite the win, passes were sloppy at times, coordination and communication among the players wasn’t always seamless and our centre backs (surprisingly include Comfort Folorunsho) are suspect in the air and error prone.
Don’t be fooled by the scoreline: our strikers are still slightly wasteful in front of goal which may explain why Danjuma recycled players in front throughout the encounter because he doesn’t trust 1 player to deliver the goods throughout the encounter in the same position (I may be wrong though as this is just speculation).
So, though I am thoroughly satisfied and immensely grateful with what Danjuma has produced thus far, the real tests will be the next 2 games.
You folks persist with the comedy…LOL!
Which team doesn’t misplace passes? They completed 80% of almost 500 passes in high altitude (where the ball tends to carry) against a live opposition and folks speak as if it’s a passing drill against cones. I understand but not the tendency here to amplify every negative (however minimal).
As for attacking players switching positions, when did that become a negative thing? How is something that’s done by virtually every top club or team become a negative?! Anyway, like I said previously on these pages, 23 teams will NOT win this competition but let’s count the miles after the race is run.
GOOD LUCK TO THE GIRLS!
9jaRealist,
You let yourself down by stating that I persist with comedy. Hubris will get you nowhere young man as a bit more humility will serve you well.
OK, almost every team misplaces passes like you say and yes the pass accuracy stats look impressive. But as life experience will eventually reveal to you, facts hide brutal reality. Have you heard the principle of 80-20? In football, if you execute 80% of your passing routines that only hold 20% significance in more dangerous parts of the pitch, its bullish*t (pardon my French). If, however you execute 20% of your passing routines within the 80% that hold relevance in dangerous positions, then you have potential for success.
Do you understand? Maybe not.
Again, you continue your misplaced narrative of only 1 team out of 24 winning a tournament. Who is arguing that fact with you? You are so full of yourself sometimes that you fail to properly analyse and deduce the main points of someone else’s argument.
This is Coach Chris Danjuma’s third ride on this rodeo. Prior he has only ever managed quarter finals. You will be crazy if you think Coach Danjuma himself doesn’t want to exceed this outcome for the third and possibly last time of asking.
We are also praying for him to exceed this limitation thereby living up to his and his girls’ potentials. That is why many fans scrutinise his games with a fine tooth comb to see whether the potentials are there for improvements.
I hate rude, pompous and arrogant people. Really I do.
Anyway, it is you who is a comedian, not me.
The both of you are right according to your views and how you project your ideas. Deo’s point reminds me of Spain loosing with 80% possessions or Peseiro park the bus strategy which has always worked in football but nasty to football lovers. 9jarealist has a philosophy of excellence but you for no dey yab Deo. Lol funny thread I have read over and over this thread. @Deo 9jarealist doesn’t mean to attack you because him no know say you go provoke for the term used.
@DEO, there’s a difference between self-confidence and arrogance. Abeni, grow a pair dude! SMH
@CHIMA, thanks. While I didn’t think my comment was offensive, the “old” Uncle is nonetheless free to take it as he pleases. A DISCUSSION forum (emphasis added) is no place to dobale and rankadede anyone.
It’s about time Africans quit acting as Children of a Lesser God. At the end of the day, it’s knockout football and one team will advance while the other goes home – just as 23 of the 24 teams will go home trophy-less at the end of the competition. It’s NOT an indictment on 23 coaches and neither will it be on Danjuma. Heck, even our dear Ghanaian sisters that many here couldn’t administer enough oral colonoscopy to as supposedly exposing Danjuma have long packed their “bag and baggages” (as per Naija vernacular) and returned to Accra, while Danjuma’s charges are purring along nicely.
Speaking about seminal life lessons, it does saying something about those eager and even desperate to seek the negative out of anything positive, or those who wish ill on their own just to prove some sort of twisted polemic point. I will ride with Chris Danjuma and his Falconets, who are PROUD AMBASSADORS OF NIGERIA, and in fact have been VERY GOOD AMBASSADORS OF NIGERIAN FOOTBALL thus far! If/when they lose, it will NOT be an indictment but the reality that even good teams and good coaches lose football games.
GOOD LUCK LADIES!
Fabulous Falconets vs. Germany 4:0 (U-20 Women’s WC) – Retrospective Review
Falconets eviscerated Venezuela with vim and vigour
In Nigeria’s 4:0 obliteration of Venezuela in their last group game encounter to seal safe passage to the knockout stages, the girls were simply and utterly brilliant in my view. I don’t expect everyone to see it this way but in my end I found Danjuma’s approach on the night captivating, engrossing, vibrant and exciting. It drew me in and kept me there for the duration. Even though there were still lapses here and there and points of weakness, I hope Danjuma identifies and addresses these on time for the R-of-16.
Coach Chris Danjuma tinkered with the squad selection and on-field tactical orientation from the last match. It was a bit confusing at times as the players up front kept switching positions like a Yoruba woman who changes her wrapper (Yoruba skirt) regularly.
Firstly, the delightful but largely ineffective left-fullback was dropped to the bench for Rafiat Imuran to take her rightful place in defence (having, herself, failed to impress as a winger in the earlier 2 games). In front, competent midfielder Olushola Shobowale took the place of Imuran.
And then, back by popular demand, goalkeeper Faith Omilana took the place of butter-fingers but adorable Shukura Bakare in goal.
Now, in game, Flourish Sebastian started on the left and then later camped out on the right for most of the game before returning to the left. Centre Forward Chiamaka Okwuchukwu will oscillate from operating as a left winger, right winger and to a centre forward throughout.
Midfielder Amina Bello moved from being a centre forward back to her original position in midfield before popping up on the flanks sporadically. Olushola Shobowale will be a roving drifter, dancing from the wings to attacking midfield.
What the thinking was from Danjuma is anyone’s guess and remains a puzzle to me but it did produce dynamism and unpredictability, with the forward players showcasing different aspects of their game and how creative, flexible and dynamic they can be in unfamiliar positions. This approach contributed to producing goals with 4 different scorers (Bello, Okwuchukwu, Sebastian and Igbokwe) which underscored this dynamism in operation.
The formation was a loose 4-2-3-1 with less positional discipline which made it harder to decipher. This more “fluid” system can be problematic against a more tactically compact team.
Their style of play was fluid and vibrant. They imposed their will on Venezuela with effective wing-play, dominance in midfield, solidity at the back and a more competent goalkeeper who was alert when called upon.
Next stop? A date with either Austria or Japan on Thursday 12 September. Will Nigeria prevail? I pray so. They just need to be a bit more focused to synchronise their movements within the structure of the formation. If they do this and get the basics right in first touches, precise passes and greater communication and co-ordination, then they have a fighting chance.
The ladies can be sloppy at times. Danjuma has attempted to counter this by addressing the left-back and goalkeeping problems with different personnel and the results were instantaneous.
Good luck to the ladies.
@DEO, always enjoy your reviews – even when I don’t always agree with parts of it!
PS: Btw, I called it on the Ohalegbulem drop and Imuran’s return to LB (as well as the switching of Flourish to the left, albeit Danjuma kept that “fluid” as you rightly put it). BEST WISHES TO THE FALCONETS!!
Fabulous Falconets vs. Venezuela 4:0 (U-20 Women’s WC) – Player Critiques
Falconets vamoosed past Venezuela in 4:0 victory!
Chris Danjuma masterminded a rip-roaring 4:0 win against Venezuela this weekend with a number of players standing up to be counted. Below is how I thought they performed on the night.
Starting from the back, returnee Goalkeeper Faith Omilana projected an air of confidence and assurance. On a night of few clear-cut chances from the opposition, Omilana succeeded in enhancing her profile by producing 2 phantasmagorical saves. She stretched to punch away one goal bound effort before diving low to keep out another headed effort. She should retain her place for the R-of-16.
Rafiat Imuran returned to her rightful place in left fullback for this one having failed to raise the profile of her play to match the demands and requirements of a winger in prior games. . She looked more convincing in 1v1 duels and her side was hardly breached. She helped manufacture moments of purposeful passing routines with others as she oozed with confidence in what is her natural habitat.
Highly experienced Right Fullback Jumoke Alani had a more pleasant night, where she was expressive in her movements and dangerous on the ball. One freekick from well over 25 yards was awesome in delivery. Her passes were shipshape and business-like (a 1-2 routine with Sebastian was noteworthy). She combined beautifully with others to generate well crafted and incisive interplay of passes. Her defensive work was impressive too as she shored up her wing, making it difficult for Venezuela to deliver crosses with her shielding, marking and competent interceptions, a testament to her rising profile as a potential Senior Super Falcons regular.
The Centre-backs of (right) Shukurat Oladipo and (left) Comfort Folorunsho were less troubled on the night but, when called upon, they combined well and individually to douse the flame of attack from the opposition. Comfort Folorunsho looked suspect and lost at sea when dangerous ball evaded her and landed at the Venezuelan striker who ran at goal; Oladipo seemed more composed with her simple passes. They dealt with aerial balls and ground threats without much lag or quibbles. Their passes were simple without anything special or magical which can be problematic when the team needs more quality deliveries from the bag against more quality oppositions.
The 2 deep-lying playmakers – (left) Chioma Olise and (right) Yina Adoo – worked incredibly hard to protect the back four and propel the team forward with purposeful and penetrative passes. Olise particularly was fabulous on the night, delivering array of alluring long passes and crosses and dose of decent short range passes from left midfield; she even managed a shot on goal as she drifted into dangerous areas severally. Adoo would not be overshadowed though, helping the team to keep it grounded and real in defensive midfield with timely tackles and interceptions. Her passes too were cosy and comfy which made for delightful viewing.
Amina Bello was very active as she covered all 4 roles upfront (CF, AM. RW, LW). Her interactions with others helped to unlock opposition defence with forward-facing passes and runs. She helped the team maintain formation with neat first touches and urgent give-and go passes. As a CF, she succeeded in scoring a goal and troubled the centre-backs with her movements and 1 goal attempt. As a LW, she delivered a nice cross before settling back to midfield.
Flourish Sebastian too covered 4 roles (LW, RW, CF and LMF). In all three positions, she defended from the front, anticipating and cutting off passes between Venezuelan before reclaiming possession back for Nigerian and then recycles the ball. When I saw her, as a LW (left winger), successfully execute a leg-over to take out a defender before driving to the by-line inside the 18 yard box to deliver a low cross, I said to myself: ‘F**k Yeah!’ before punching the air in excitement! When you pay to watch Sebastian, that’s what you pay for! I have waited for this manoeuvre all tournament! As CF (centre forward), she took up good position inside the 18 yard box to receive an in-swinger before volleying home with cool and menacing composure. As a RW (right winger) she was less exciting to watch but purposeful with her passes and composed in possession like a nice 1-2 routine with Alani and few nice dribble attempts.
Olushola Shobowale was also quite fluid up front, covering almost every department there. Her timing was decent in receiving passes and distributing it to others. Communication was good enough and she displayed conviction in her attacking play. She too tried to execute give-and-go passes with others like Flourish Sebastian with mixed results. She was very mobile and busy and she delivered some telling crosses. I think she was more useful in RW where her runs were penetrative and crosses held promise. She was largely inspiring to watch upfront.
Centre Forward Chiamaka Okwuchukwu was fabulous, explosive, deadly and endearing in all 3 roles she performed upfront. She handled her instructions with consummate competence. From left wing, she delivered an in-swinger for Sebastian’s goal. From right wing, she bulldozed past 2 defenders to pierce through to the by-line before putting it on a plate for Bello’s goal. As a centre forward, she rose highest to power a header beyond the goalkeeper off a corner kick routine for her well deserved goal. Always On-the-lam from defenders, she delivered tantalising crosses all night with movements well woven into the fabric of the formation competently. Her first touches were neat and she never stopped running with exemplary work-rate. I love her to the hills!
Substitute: Joy Igbokwe succeeded in finding the back of the net with an audaciously speculative shot from well over 25 yards. She provided passing outlets upfront. Opeyemi Ajakaiye tried hard to make an impression, one time trying to catch the goalkeeper out from the near post by shoot at goal instead of passing; she is yet to fully announce herself in this tournament. Janet Akekoromowei spread herself about with constant movement off the ball to upset the rhythm of the opposition. Mary Nkpa and Chiamaka Osigwe tried to exchange passes with their colleagues with basic results which at least kept the team ticking along to victory.
Coach Chris Danjuma continues to be adept at qualifying his teams for knockout stages. It is in the knockout stages that he will have to prove critics like me wrong. That said, I for what will not apologise for enjoying his tactical orientation in the group stages with this game serving as the icing on the cake. All of the basic ingredients of a practical football are in situ and it is definitely worth the time and attention sacrificed to watch it. It’s flawed is some area, true, but which tactical formation isn’t? There are a number of given reasons why some fans will slam and criticise Danjuma despite this group stage accomplishment and that’s their problem (as far as I am concerned). The strikers were fast and ferocious, the midfielders were mildly methodical and systematic and the defenders appear to be cleaning up their act with fresh injection in the LB and GK departments.
If they continually improve, Danjuma might yet prove me wrong a coach incapable of going beyond the quarter finals in World Cups – I hope he does.
I said the left back was getting cooked in the last match and she was rightly dropped. I like the introduction of Omilana in place of Bakare. Let’s hope they get better as the tournament progresses. I still have doubts on the coaches approach and tactics to games, but we have some individual talents in the team that can wreck havoc at any time. Even though I worry against a superior opponent with finesse. All the best to the SuperFalconets as the real battle starts from here on.
The world knows this is where it all ends for Danjuma. Where superior raw skill and athletism alone no longer determines the outcome of games. Where inspiration will be needed from the bench to dope the efforts of the players on the pitch….but which will not come, because actually there’s none.
Let’s all agree in unison to say bye bye to him after now. 2 AAGs, 2 U20FWWC, 1 WAFU B, Crashed out of Olympics qualifiers in the 3rd round….LMAOoo…the records speaks for itself…We have seen the best of what his abilities can offer….which is NOTHING.
It’s time to say thank you to Danjuma and farewell for good….LMAOoo
Yeparipa! Hahahahah! Dr Drey you are a clown at times sha! Haha I don laff my head off.
So, this world and his wife know that, like boys 2 men, Danjuma has reached ‘the end of road’. Hahahahaha!
But, what if he proves you wrong? Will you man-up and apologise?
When Danjuma had only 1 game to navigate to reach the semi-finals, he failed. Now that challenge has doubled with masterful Austria or exceptional Japan in wait (Oops) And then Spain in the quarter finals (Ouch!) unless they fall in a mighty upset to either Cameroon or Canada.
You are right that, going by history, Danjuma has reached his glass ceiling. But he might yet prove you wrong sir as the past doesn’t always equal the future.
Let’s pray for him and wish him well, with the caveat of offering your untethered apology should Danjuma shoot for the stars and hits his target with rock solid accuracy.
He has done well thus far.
Even that blabbermouth 9ja’s realest fool cannot put his neck on the line for Danjuma to beat Japan in the R16.
And I am saying it categorically here now…..should we meet Japan in the R16 and Danjuma should defeat Japan and reach the Qfinals, this very comment will be the very last comment CSN will receive from Dr.Drey till 2025.
I’m not even gonna bother about Spain cos we are never gonna even have the chance to meet them.
Otherwise, he should bow out gracefully never to return. He has reached his limits. He can’t do anything noteworthy with age grade team, got booted out of olympics qualifying as early as the 3rd round….we don’t want another Bosso hovering around our female national teams.
Danjuma, beat Japan and Dr.Drey comments no more on this forum till the end of 2024.
Even that blabbermouth 9ja’s realest fool cannot put his neck on the line for Danjuma to beat Japan in the R16.
He’s just putting up a pseudo-boldface to smokescreen his frustration and humiliation.
And I am saying it categorically here now…..should we meet Japan in the R16 and Danjuma should defeat Japan and reach the Qfinals, this very comment will be the very last comment CSN will receive from Dr.Drey till 2025.
I’m not even gonna bother about Spain cos we are never gonna even have the chance to meet them.
Otherwise, he should bow out gracefully never to return. He has reached his limits. He can’t do anything noteworthy with age grade team, got booted out of olympics qualifying as early as the 3rd round….we don’t want another Bosso hovering around our female national teams.
Danjuma, beat Japan and Dr.Drey comments no more on this forum till the end of 2024.
Nah, we want you here. Who will analyze how a 32 years old coach of Enyimba schooled one coach of Heartland and picked up an away win in NPFL? Both coaches practically arrived at the same time in their club sides. I am shocked CS hasn’t reported the “feat”.
Have you thought Enyimba’s victory could be down to having superior players?
Bro, no vex. Does Nigerian League have superior players in any club? When no matter how good your team is, it is hard to nick away win here? With all due respect, our league is nothing to write home about. A league where a relegated team suddenly bought a slot from a duly promoted team from the lower rung and REMAIN in the league they were wiped out well in previous season IS NOT A LEAGUE. Heartland was meant to be relegated last season, not remain. The janjaweed NPFL deprived beyond limits who won NNL promotion because they are coowned by Remo stars owners. Why let them compete then or better still, why not give the slot of beyond limits to the next three teams? That league cannot produce world class players, I beg
@SLY, if you really think our resident WitchDOCTOR will be going anywhere after we win on Thursday, then I have a bridge in Lekki for you to buy. LOL!
@WitchDOCTOR, we’re looking to forward to some peace and quiet after Thursday then…LMAO
PS: Btw, if losing to Japan is the proverbial “end of the road”, RANDY WALDRUM should have signed up with Boys 2 Men after the Olympics! LMAOOO
Anyway, looking forward to sweet victory on Thursday, sweetened even more if our resident WitchDOCTOR discovers some honor and quit the forum. LMAOO!
GOOS LUCK TO MY NAIJA SISTAHS – RIDE OR DIE!!
9jafakestfool – shut the F up, friggin retard!
Real men will be talking and your gateman self too will want to chirp in- better be careful or you will lose that your toilet cleaning job that’s making your stinky dirty ass think you’ve made it! LMAOO!
Mugu!